(A/N: Sorry I did not make it super clear, but Joe and Laurie's kids could walk to Paula because some time had passed since their birth. Even I'm not sure how much time, that's why I did not specify. This chapter will also contain a few time skips, I'll try to be more precise. Also, I'm making Crawford,the DA, a bit OOC, still mean)
Erin's pov, a few weeks later
Jack and I were still dating, everything going as perfectly as the first time around. We had both agreed to hold off telling my family, because I did not want them to react negatively towards Jack, even if out of love for me. We also had decided to hold off on telling our kids in the beginning, despite the fact that they were the reason we were back together in the first place. Our secret for now, Jack had suggested. For the fun sneaking around and to keep them from getting hurt just in case it did not work out in the end. I was not so sure we were going to go up in flames a third time though, given how mature and thoughtful he was being, as well as still being actively in both Peter and Nicky's lives, even when our daughter was across the coast.
But now the time had come to at least tell our kids, Nicky still visiting, taking advantage of remote working while her workplace underwent a week-long fumigation process for termites and other critters. The plan was that I was going to tell them I was dating someone and this someone was going to come over for dinner. I even had a camera set up to capture the looks on their faces when their own dad walked through the door after they would most likely be sulking about how their plan had not worked.
I'm brought out of my thoughts by a ding on my phone. It was not my ex-husband turned boyfriend, though. It was the sibling group chat Joe's number was still a part of, along with Danny, Jess, Jamie and myself. I guess Danny was wanting to let the siblings all in on the developments in his life at once, given he used the sibling chat to ask Jamie for a favor
Hey, Jamie. Can you forward me all the Patrol Guide stuff you and Eddie studied? Thanks.
I'm sure my siblings' wheels were turning just as fast as mine when Jamie replied
Sure. Congrats, man.
All Danny did was send a smiling emoji, but everyone kind of had the same understanding of what was most likely going on. I'm still keeping my secret close to chest for a while longer, though. Once I heard both of my kids in the living room, I sat with them on the couch
"I need to tell you both something, and I'm not sure how you both will react."
I knew how to grab their attention. They were solely focused on me now
"I have been seeing someone for a while now, and tonight he's joining us for dinner. Please be on your best behavior."
As I expected, they sulked
"So our op didn't work?"
I locked eyes with both of them and corrected
"Your ambush, you mean? And please, just give him a chance. I'm really happy."
After letting out long exaggerated sighs, they nodded
"Anything for you."
I smiled and hugged them
"Thank you, my angels. I ordered Italian."
That seemed to have lifted their spirits a bit, and they even helped me get everything ready while I went on to get changed and put on my final touches as far as makeup, hair and jewelry. My locket with the picture of me and my Mom on one side, and one of Jack, Nicky, Peter and I on the other, with a bracelet Jack had given me. I was wearing his favorite dress, light makeup, and my hair down in curls. My kids eyed me and let out a whistle
"Mom, you look amazing!"
I smiled
"Thank you."
They startled as the door opened and they heard a familiar voice
"VERY amazing."
Confused but happy to see the newcomer, my kids hugged him
"Dad! What are you doing here?"
He smirked that impossible Kavinsky smirk that Peter had easily inherited
"Having dinner with my date and our kids. We wanted to be sure before telling you both, but your plan worked. We've been together since that Sunday, almost three weeks now."
If Peter and Nicky could literally explode from happiness, this would be the moment that would happen. They jumped in our arms crying happily and hugging us both, only stopping to smile
"You're welcome, by the way. We knew our plan couldn't fail."
We all laughed at that, then dug into the food. Peter broke the silence
"So, how was work for all of you?"
Nicky smiled
"Good. I'm team leader on a new project I'm really excited about. How about at the courthouse, Mom? Dad?"
We congratulated her on her project, then Jack spoke
"I got to see your Mom go up against Skollnick and destroy him, so that's always a fun time. Besides, the guy he was defending actually is a murderer. I went against one of the DA's cronies, who is only trying to get points for Crawford. Problem is, this ADA perjured herself and tampered with evidence to get a conviction for Crawford for grand larceny. So, I called her out on it, my client had done nothing but fall into a trap on Crawford's waging war against your mother."
I smiled, hand in his
"My hero. And congratulations on your case."
He smiled
"My pleasure. And right back at you."
Peter fake-gagged
"I was gonna say I did well on my presentation in Lit, but I just was reminded of how nauseating you two can be when you're all lovey dovey. This is a meal I'm trying to eat here!"
The dramatics on that boy... I laughed
"You are literally one of the reasons we're back together in the first place, Petey."
He smirked again
"Like I said before, you're welcome."
Nicky spoke next
"So, when are you telling the others?"
Jack and I shared a look, and he shrugged
"Do you feel ok with telling them this Sunday, Erin?"
Slowly, I nodded
"Yeah. Just, maybe sit away from Pop,Dad, Danny and Jamie. Just for safety. Until they can see how you've really changed."
He nodded
"Sounds like a great idea. This Sunday it is."
Danny's pov
I had been pouring over the material Jamie sent over, because I wanted to make sure I had every good argument they did. I knew that working in three Detectives instead of just Maria and myself was a positive in my argument, and was not keen on being on a different shift, let alone precinct than Maria. I think that only happened because Jamie and Eddie were patrol partners on the streets at the time, but soon Jamie got his stripes and was able to have Eddie work out of the same house as him, and even ride together on occasion. I was still gathering the facts to present to Maria, who, like Jess, was very by-the-book. Soon, I had all my ammo, and went to talk to my partner, already having secured my sons' approval for this potential relationship.
I took a deep breath and knocked on her door. She opened the door, a slight blush on her cheeks
"Danny. Hi, come on in. I need to talk to you."
I was very curious about what she had wanted to talk to me about, hoping it had something to do with what I wanted to talk to her about. I smiled
"You first."
She shoo her head
"You came all the way to my door, you first."
I sighed
"Together."
She agreed, and in one voice we hurriedly blurted out
"Do you wanna go out, I found a way this could work without jeopardizing our partnership in our trio"
We laughed at how in sync we were, and I finally was able to kiss my love, my partner, my girlfriend.
Not one to like keeping secrets for very long, Maria spoke
"Do you think we should tell them at Sunday dinner? Henry dropped by the squad earlier saying I was invited. Me and my chili. He said it could help with his war on cholesterol."
Gramps is too perceptive, I think we've been made. I told her as such, and she just shrugged
"We were gonna come clean anyway, so one person made us, I'm pretty sure your siblings have too."
She had a point, and was going to come over Sunday. Come to think of it, Jess also said she was bringing a guest, no idea who. Erin also was bringing a guest, my best guess is Anthony, her Investigator and close friend.
A few days later, it was finally time for Sunday Dinner
3rd person pov
Most of the Reagans had already gathered at the Bayridge home. Danny, his boys and Maria were among those yet to arrive. Also still MIA were Jess and her guest, and Erin, her children and their guest. They arrived almost at the same time, most of the Reagan men glaring daggers at Jack Kavinsky. Pop and Danny were the first to snarl out
"What's HE doing here?"
Out of view, Erin squeezed Jack's hand, then her father's commanding voice boomed out
"Let's keep it civil."
Outraged, Danny and Jamie turned to their father
"You're ok with this?!"
Face expressionless, the PC smoothed over
"I did not say that, I said let's keep it civil."
Glaring at their former brother-in-law, Danny and Jamie sat down. Maria sat next to Danny, Jamie returned to Eddie's side and Jack slid in the seat next to Erin. On Danny's other side there were two empty seats, for Jess and her guest.
Erin spoke up
"Jack and I have been together for three weeks now, thanks to our meddling kids. We tried to rekindle a few years back, but we weren't ready yet. Now we are. This is going to end up in a wedding sooner or later,whether you like it or not. Those on the "not" team, we will send you pictures. Give Jack a chance to show you the changes and growth he has experienced. See how involved he is with the kids. Look at how happy we all are."
Small mercies exist, because that got the men to stop glaring at the defense attorney. Clearing her throat, Maria spoke
"Congratulations, you two. Pop, the chili you requested."
Henry smiled at the Detective
"Thank you, Maria. It smells delicious."
She smiled softly
"Thank you. Danny and I have some news of our own."
At this point, Jess had already occupied her place on Danny's other side, a broad-shouldered, blue-eyed and dark-haired man by her side. Many at the table recognized him as Dr. Will Hochman, an ER/Trauma surgeon from St. Victor's Hospital, as well as Laurie's cousin, Joe's cousin-in-law. Maria and Danny went on
"Following Eddie and Jamie's example, we studied every page of the Patrol Guide and NYPD Handbook. Since we work cases and not the streets most of the time, and considering there's precedent with Jamie and Eddie in the same precinct and even riding together on occasion, we just want to let everyone know we're dating. Telling you as family, and as NYPD brass to NYPD rank and file. Another point in our favor is that we're not on shifts alone, Jess is there, so we won't be a distraction to each other, none of us will."
Having already seen the so - called rule not stand a chance against Jamie and Eddie, Frank was more lenient to accept his eldest son's new relationship, even if it was one of his partners, and did not even mention anything about breaking up the work relationship. Congratulations went around again, then Laurie spoke up, playful smirk on her face
"So, Will, fancy seeing you here."
Jess smiled
"We've been dating for two months. And don't worry, he won't break my heart. Not with this job."
Will gave her a curious look, head tilted, smiling curiously
"Why? Doctor, do no harm?"
Making everyone laugh, Will himself included, Danny's twin shot back playfully
"Nope. Detective, second amendment."
And, by some miracle or mercy, by the end of that dinner, that lasted well over 5 hours, a Reagan record, Jack had been promoted to tolerated by some, but shockingly, even liked again by some of the Reagan men. To go with their personalities, Pop and Danny were only tolerating him, meanwhile Frank and Jamie had welcomed him back into the fold.
TIMESKIP- 5 months
Jack's pov
The day was finally here, will all the Reagans in attendance. I somehow was even in good standing with Henry and Danny, and I intended to keep it that way. My world stopped for a moment when I first laid eyes on Erin once again in her late mother's wedding gown, and it still fit her like a glove, two kids and many years later. I felt like I could not breathe for all the right reasons, and no longer took in my surroundings, my eyes swimming in her own. After the 'I do's", we went to Jamaica, to explore some beaches. But not long into our trip, Erin fell ill. She was unable to keep anything down for too long, and was only content when in my arms. Once we got home from our trip, but before we got Peter back from staying with Frank and Henry, Erin surprised me
"I just took a pregnancy test. It's positive."
